Review Blog

May 03 2017

Maybe a fox by Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee

Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406372892
(Age: Upper primary - lower secondary) Highly recommended. Even if
this story had been written by one author, readers would marvel at
the skill and craftsmanship of the writing. Instead it is a
collaboration, all the more impressive for that because: a singular
voice rings out across the book; there are no stylistic fluctuations
along the way; and the narrative development is seamless. This is
despite being a complicated story, with several threads weaving
through. The central story is about Jules coming to terms with the
tragic and pointless death of her sister; this is the second tragedy
her family suffers and she and her Dad stay strong to support each
other. Other stories intertwine with this: Sam, the school friend,
hopeful for the return of the long-unseen catamount; his older
brother, Elk, returned from Afghanistan, but mourning a best friend
who didn't; the rambling yearling bear that brings out the local
hunters; the dangers and mysteries of the Slip, where the river
disappears into an underground cauldron for a while, and the
legendary but unfound Grotto, both of which hold resolutions to
these interlacing stories. But these resolutions don't come so
simply and comfortably. Like weft across braiding threads the tale
of Senna is thrown; Senna, the vixen of three kits born just as
Sylvie disappears; Senna of a mythical fox world, a Kennen with
connection to the human world. And her connection is Jules. The
fabric shimmers and tightens as these stories intersect and move to
a compelling conclusion that answers the question in the title.
Because of the implied middle school readership of the book it is
important to mention not a spoiler but an alert: perhaps this story
goes one tragedy too far. The ending is traumatic, with an
achingly-sad last chapter that is hard to bear. Other choices could
have been made that would have been uplifting and hopeful and still
been satisfying. With that one caution this extraordinary book is
highly recommended for upper primary and lower secondary readers.
Kerry Neary